Why do we sometimes observe asteroids at the distances of the gaps in the asteroid belt?
A)They are kept in place by shepherding asteroids.
B)A gap is located at an average orbital distance, and asteroid orbits often have large eccentricities.
C)Jupiter's gravitational tugs keep them there.
D)They are held in place by resonances with other asteroids.
E)Actually, we never see asteroids in the gaps.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gaps, known as Kirkwood gaps, occur at average orbital distances in the asteroid belt, but some asteroids have orbits with large eccentricities that can take them into these gaps, even though they spend most of their time outside the gaps. These gaps themselves are primarily caused by orbital resonances with Jupiter, not by the presence of asteroids within them.

Why Do We Sometimes Observe Asteroids at the Distances of the Gaps